28 |
Overdrive
| April 2015
As mobile communications technology advancements give rise
to streamlined freight transactions, some startups go so far
as doing it all with a single app. BY TODD DILLS
On-demand
load matching
The ability for carriers to broadcast available space while
in transit to a network of brokers and shippers with
available freight is one of the functions some new and
updated load-matching platforms are building.
T
he "Uberization" of freight
has been big in the news
following the rise of the Uber
taxi service. If you're not
familiar with Uber, it allows a customer
to press a button in a smartphone app,
and usually within a few minutes an inde-
pendent contractor arrives in his or her
car. Prices, automatically charged to the
user's credit card, usually are noticeably
lower than traditional taxis.
Mainstream media use the "sharing
economy" phrase to describe such phe-
nomena, where startups enabled by mo-
bile communications technology disrupt
not only the traditional cab business but
also the hotel and small parcel delivery
industries, among others.
In the latter category, Roadie.com
made news last month for its partnership
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locations for its drivers and shippers/re-
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zine, detailing Roadie's "direct competi-
tion with traditional delivery services like
FedEx and UPS."
28 |
Overdrive
| April 2015
SPACE
AVAIL:
5 PALLETS/
6,975 LBS.,
DRY
SPACE
AVAIL:
8 PALLETS/
5,766 LBS.,
20FAHR
SPACE
AVAIL:
2 PALLETS/
1,200 LBS.,
DRY